Image Credit (Joe Nicholson/USA Today Sports)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-mullick-354076184/
With Training Camp about to start for the NFL in a few weeks, there are questions that follow each team. Like I did with the Broncos, I will be doing the Top 5 Biggest questions for every team heading into Training Camp. Next up is the Seattle Seahawks who originally had the 10th Overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, until they traded it to the New York Jets in order to acquire S Jamal Adams. They luckily secured the 9th overall pick in the Russel Wilson trade.
1. Who will be the Week 1 starting QB?
It has happened, Russell Wilson is no longer the QB for the Seattle Seahawks as they traded him to the Denver Broncos. So who will take over for the Seahawks? Well, let's look at the current depth chart for the Seahawks. QB Geno Smith was the starter when Wilson got injured, and he was not horrendous but was not great during his time as the starter. He had flashes of brilliance, but there were more negatives than positives. Drew Lock has been terrible since his rookie season and is a scrub QB. Let's be real, this might be his last chance to get a starting QB role and if he can’t beat Geno Smith, then he will be a journeyman backup QB for the rest of his career. Jacob Eason well I doubt he does much as he could not overtake Wentz for the job in Indianapolis, along with Geno Smith when Wilson got injured. So yeah he is not getting the job and it would not shock me if he is on the practice squad. But let's be real the current QBs in Seattle are not good options and probably won’t be the starter next season.
Unless the Seahawks decide to make a trade for a QB. The one name in mind is of course QB, Baker Mayfield. We will get to Cleveland in a later 5 questions article, but it is clear that Baker Mayfield will never play another game for Cleveland ever again. Maybe the Seahawks can agree to a trade and acquire him. I honestly would do it as it would be an upgrade over Geno and Lock.
2. Who will be the guy at running back?
This is the first time in a while that I have felt uncertainty about who the starting running back will be for the Seattle Seahawks. There are three likely candidates that could take the role. The first is Kenneth Walker who the Seahawks utilized a 2nd round pick on in the 2022 NFL Draft. But he is not a great receiving threat and is not the best with his instincts. There are some attributes he can clean up, but he will have competition. Rashaad Penny has been a complete bust since he entered the league due to injuries and inconsistencies. But last year he had 4 games where he looked like an unstoppable player, and it got him another shot with the Seahawks. If he impresses he could get the role. Chris Carson is of course a great running back for Seattle. However, I am not a doctor, but it is clear Chris Carson's neck injury is more severe than originally thought. It would not shock me if Carson does not play next season, but time will tell regarding his status. It will be interesting to see what the Seahawks do at running back.
3. Can Dwayne Eskridge produce for the Seahawks next season?
The Seahawks last season had 3 draft picks. Their highest pick was in the second round and they decided to select WR Dwayne Eskridge. I at the time was not a fan of the pick at all and I was very down on Eskridge as he does not run the best routes, had sloppy footwork, was not the best with his reaching ability, struggled with drops, and had durability concerns. So far he has disappointed in his rookie season. He only had 10 catches for 64 yards and 1 touchdown. He did not do much at all, but he did not play a majority of the season due to foot/concussion. He did not look healthy at all last year. If he can stay healthy, maybe he will be able to produce this year. If he does not produce then Eskridge could be cut from the team in 2 years. I wish him luck for this season.
4. Can LJ Collier produce for the Seahawks?
This is LJ Collier’s last chance as he has been absolutely abysmal for the Seattle Seahawks since they utilized a 1st round pick on him during the 2019 NFL Draft. He has been mediocre in the run game and was awful in the passing game. It also was not a good look when he became a healthy scratch for many games last season. He is going to need to have a strong camp because I don’t think a roster spot is fully secured for Collier as the Seahawks acquired Shelby Harris and drafted Tyreke Smith. I wish Collier luck during training camp and the pre-season.
5. Who will be the starting cornerback on defense?
The Seahawks secondary was abysmal last season. Along with S/CB DJ Reed departing the Seahawks desperately needed to get help at cornerback. So I decided to go through the current corners. Sidney Jones was not great last year, but he was solid when healthy. Justin Coleman has been a journeyman and he has not been great in a few years. Tre Brown did next to nothing and had a knee injury. Artie Burns, I am shocked is still in the league as he has been terrible for many years. It was no surprise that they drafted Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen. This is a big training camp battle and I have no clue who will be starting week 1.